Animal Care Blogs | North Carolina Zoo

Summer Improvement Projects Underway
As part of our ongoing commitment to excellence, guests may notice Park maintenance projects in progress this summer. While minimal disruption is expected, some areas may have temporary barriers or visible work crews during your visit.
Zoo Closed Remainder of the Day: June 23, 2026

Due to repairs to main water lines in the City of Asheboro, which supplies water to the Zoo, the North Carolina Zoo, Wildlife Rehab Center, and all hiking trails are closed for the remainder of the day on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

A large Red Tail Hawk perched on a hand wearing a brown, leather glove. It appears to have just landed, as its legs and wings are stretched out. Bare tree branches are visible in the background.

Animal Care Blogs

Hawksome Research

Check out some research on our animal ambassador, Braveheart the red-tailed hawk!

The back of a light skinned person's head craning over a camera. The person is facing a wooden and metal barn door with a small square hatch that is open, revealing the face of a small grasslands animal. The person is photographing behind the scenes for grasslands species.

Animal Care Blogs

Photo Ark Photo Shoot with Joel Sartore

The North Carolina Zoo is proud to be a part of the National Geographic Photo Ark!

Two Rhinoceros with their head down, grazing and standing in the shade.

Animal Care Blogs

Keeping Up with the Keratins

Read about rhino social lives!

A large, reddish-brown African Elephant stands in a dirt and sand enclosure, leaning against a tall, brown vertical metal barrier on the right. The elephant has large tusks and its right front leg is raised, resting against the fence. A large green ball is visible on the ground to the left, and a building and vehicles are visible outside the enclosure in the distance.

Animal Care Blogs

Elephant Yoga

How do you help an elephant stay strong? You do elephant yoga!

A black Ground Hornbill stands next to a person. The bird is looking to the left with its beak open. It has striking features, including a prominent blue inflatable-looking patch of skin (wattle) on its throat and face, a casque on its large beak, and a slightly ruffled appearance to its feathers. A small mound of dark dirt and green foliage is visible on the left.

Animal Care Blogs

Doli the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

Meet a Zoo favorite, Doli!

Two adults in a North Carolina Zoo enclosure examine an Elephants leg. One, with long blonde hair and an animal-print shirt, holds up a small pin. The other, bald with a beard and in a blue shirt, looks left and touches the leg gently.

Animal Care Blogs

Elephant Acupuncture

Acupuncture on the world's largest land mammal?!

A close-up of an alligator snapping turtle, showing its mottled brown and green shell, powerful jaws, and long pointed nose.

Animal Care Blogs

Oh Snap! Caring for Alligator Snapping Turtles

Leia the Giraffe extends her long next to eat leaves from a lush tree branch.

Animal Care Blogs

Zoo Research: Studying Our Giraffe

Studying our tall towers!

Two adult Cougars, which are large cats with medium, rounded ears and thick tan fur, lay huddled together, looking out of a cutout in a tree stump in a Cyrpress Swamp.

Animal Care Blogs

Meet Our Cougar Siblings

Our cougar siblings are quite special!